Two days later, I went home to cry for help, mom used an emergency measure to pressure my dad. Only then barely enough to persuade him to believe his daughter is innocent and include a return air ticket. Before on board, he still never forget to educate me, eyeing the opportunity must not let Kim Taehyung this big golden turtle slip away.
With a serious frame of mind just back from the airport to the office, once again been summoned by Taehyung.
‘Lalisa, how is your meeting with your dad, happy?’ He was folding a frog origami while asking. Taehyung! You deliberately do it on purpose! Have you ever come across a daughter insist of using hospital report only able to convinced her dad that she is not pregnant ma! Indeed very tragic ah, so tragic.’ I covered my face with disappointment and sighed.
‘What a pity, your dad and I truly enjoying talking to one another, it feels like we have known each other for a long time ah. I indeed I feel you are very mean, shattered the hope of your dad.’
‘Why do you want to do that ah?’ I scowled miserably and asked.
At noon time, the cafeteria’s aunty specifically asked me whether do I need a bowl of sweet soup to nourish my postnatal weak body, and numerous colleagues centralised at my belly with a strange expression that don’t even need to mention. Well, this played was presented by Director Taehyung, my dad perfectly fit into this comedy, I’m afraid it will be remembered forever.
‘Interesting!’ Taehyung said, without trouble let the frog bounce on top of the document.
You really shameless. I angrily got up and left.
Before the door was closed, heard a background laughter flow from behind ‘Let me run naked…. he, he, gentleman revenge, revenge is a way!’
After New Year, I carried a lot of local specialty from home to F city and also take the opportunity to bring…… one man.
This man surname is Jung, name Jung Jaewon. He is my dad most proud postgraduate disciple, who after graduate work in a well-known domestic game company as a planner.
‘Jung Jaewon?’ First time hearing a person called such a name coming over to our home to have dinner, I laughed, ‘what kind of person would call such a name ah?’
My dad shook his head, using a pedant tone and said ‘*Gongzi Jung Jaewon, into the spring and autumn period he will complete his toiling to become master of universe. Nine prince will unite the whole empire under one government. Lalisa, I always ask you to read more books but you every day just go online!’
*gōng zǐ: this is how in olden day address son of nobility/gentleman.
‘Who told me when I wanted to read ‘Records of Grand Historian’. The girl will get marry and become someone’s wife. Do not need to read all these. As long as can you cooked, wash clothes and take care of the house will do!’ I curl my lip. Because of all these words, my original hardcover annotate edition ‘Records of the Grand Historian’ so far has been thrown near the bathroom corner, as a cushion pad for the washing machine or a padding device.
‘Also said, your proud disciple also abandon history. Leave the entertainment world.’
My dad shook his head again ‘Study and apply it, study and apply it. Things that you learn can be favorable position for the use of one’s skills. there is nothing to regret de. Just like you, I have raised you up, once you get marry to a good man I will be very satisfied.’
‘Why do I feel like I resemble a bait to entice a fish, an earthworm ah!’ I grumble.
‘Don’t underestimate this earthworm, I had invested a lot of money in this earthworm.’ My dad proudly said.
The third day of New Yew, Jung Jaewon carry a basket of fruits and fresh flowers came over to our house. Nominally is to pay respect to teacher and teacher’s wife as disciples of friendship. But in fact we all know the purpose is to match-made both of us.
Dressed in Western-style Jaewon, although appearance somehow look stiff however manner is humble, respectful and sincere. This remind me of someone at work. Taehyung also wear Western-style suit, but rarely wear tie. Always never button up his collar and slightly open, not as good as Jaewon so upright but also free and easy.
We greeted with courtesy but become alienated afterwards. Jaewon and my dad begin to chat professional issue. I pretend to smile like a good virtuous lady and listen attentively. In my heart kind of profiteer and repeatedly calculating about the same height as Taehyung, appearance ma…… differ a bit, but still can be shown to others. As for innate character….. talk with politeness and modest etiquette, smile frankly and honestly. Not like Taehyung that kind that always display inadvertently, crafty and eyes fills with treacherous. Overall it can be interpret as top-notch goods, can be calculated as first rate…… can sell for a good price.
At that time, my dad give me a pat ‘Lili, Jaewon is talking to you.’
Lalisa, Jaewon….. indeed sound like a pair of joyous puppies at the small garden ah.
‘Ah, I’m sorry, what did you say?’ I quickly used my hand to massage my motionless smiling face.
‘Junior sister being courteous, just call me Jaewon elder brother will do.’
Sound pleasant to hear and almost similar to Taehyung. But….. *Little White Dove?!
*Xiao Bei Ge: the way it pronounce sound like little white dove
‘I was just asking is junior sister works at F city?’
‘Yes ah, after New Year need to go back to F city. Really don’t feel like leaving home ah.’
Flirt like fire.
Jaewon present a bouquet of flowers from behind his back and said ‘Happy Valentine’s Day!’
I was froze for a moment, only then I realised that the first working day after New Year, it turned out to be Valentine’s Day.
That bouquet of red roses make me somehow frenetic.
‘Lalisa Manoban, don’t you give us an introduction?’ Taehyung suddenly speak out from the side.
‘Sorry, let me introduce.’ I busily said, ‘This is our President, Kim Taehyung. This is Jung Jaewon, my dad’s student……. on behalf of my dad to send me off.’ After finish explaining I don’t understand why must I added the last sentence.
Jaewon step forward and passionately shook hands with Taehyung ‘Nice to meet you Mr Kim, Lalisa frequently mention about you.’
‘Frequently mention about me? Not saying malicious words.’ Taehyung like a smile yet not a smile looked at me with a glance, ‘But never heard her talk about Mr Jung ah.’
In other words, saying malicious words about you.
But I quickly said ‘What…. Jaewon elder brother and I just know one another not long ago.’
‘Not only knowing, actually I wish to be Lalisa’s boyfriend. She is a good girl and teacher also wish we can be together. So far, we get along quite well. Ah, Mr Kim indeed an outstanding talent, taste also quite….. outstanding. Wearing straw skirt…. doll, this gift is very special, very special.’
‘She likes it.’ Taehyung faintly said.
‘I can’t remember what toys you like ah.’ Jaewon turned around, smile and said to me, ‘I remember when I went to your room, I only saw books. At that time I only recall ‘A Dream of Red Mansions’ that sentence resemble a young lady embroidery room, must be the study room of the boy.’
I caught a glimpse of non-expression face of Taehyung, then quickly said ‘I like this doll, truly like it, because never ever like it so much.’
‘Since you like it, next time I will send you a bunch of it. Oh, by the way, I have make a reservation at a hotel. Mr Kim, would you like to join us?’ Jaewon said.
‘No thanks, I have an appointment, you guys please go ahead.’ Taehyung turn around and walk toward his car.
I arrived at a famous Italian restaurant. There are a lot of peoples waiting outside. All are handsome man and beautiful lady holding a bouquet of roses. We crossed over and waited for the crowd to clear.
‘It is difficult to locate this place. Not for my good vision, two months ago I have already reserved it. If not I’m afraid we might not been able to get a seat.’ Jaewon explained. ‘Over here the spaghetti and cheese can be considered the most authentic. Highly recommended for you to experience it.’
The server came over to present the menu and arrange the table setting, lit the candle and put into a clear glass.
‘Lalisa, I think you are a very good girl. Well deserve for people to cherish. What do you think…… about me?’ After ordering our meals, when we are alone at the corner of this elegant little restaurant, Lisa asked.
‘What?’ The warm temperatures in the restaurant and on the stage the singer was sing in a sluggish deep voice, once again my mind was wandering around.
‘Teacher and teacher’s wife wish is also very clear. They want us to be able to….. become a lover.’ Jaewon explained.
‘I know ah.’ I somehow feel puzzle like I have something in my mind.
‘But you have not given me any definite answer.’ Jaewon raise the cup and have a mouthful and seriously said, ‘Tell me, Lalisa, do you agree to be my girlfriend?’
The candle flame flicker, I saw my own fuzzy reflection on top of the dinner knife, suddenly somehow absent-minded.
Girlfriend…… I though we merely cooperate with each other just to deal with our parents ah.
‘I believe with my qualification…… both parents also have intention. Lalisa, why are you still hesitate ne?’ Jaewon laugh across the table.
I raise my head and discover the way he laugh somehow resemble Taehyung. But Taehyung is more narcissism. All of a sudden, I wanted to pat his shoulder and said ‘Aiya, ya, you indeed look so handsome and have an appearance that loved by all. If ladies don’t look upon you, truly they are blind. Furthermore please don’t be so narcissism. But then I have second thoughts. Jaewon is not Taehyung. And if I make this kind of joke with him clearly not appropriate.’
How to answer him, indeed very difficult ah. I really wanted to tell him the truth Currently I don’t have any plan to have a boyfriend. All this is because of my dad own wishful though only. After re-think, also feel it will be extremely harmful to sacred Professor Manoban’s lofty image in the eyes of his students.
Hey, usually find countless reasons that Lalisa Manoban where did she go.
‘Lalisa, are you willing? Promise me? I will prove that I’m the one suitable for you.’ Jaewon said with a powerful tone.
Hey, big brother, there’s no such thing as *pay a small price and receive a big reward. You see all those who propose marriage only hold a ring to cheat people. Asked to be a girlfriend although can’t compare to be asked to become a wife, but whatever the outcome at least let me fill up first then only I had the ability to think over whether to promise you ah.
*is idiom meaning to pay a small price for big rewards in return.
But Jaewon said also right. Between the two of us it seemed to be going too well ought to be *where water flows, a canal is formed. Not to make someone violate their conventional reasoning and morals. Yet in the midst of vaguely, it seem there is something prevent me from saying that “willing”. I exhausted my limited abilities to struggle the utmost. To think of how to countermeasure to deal with this situation, at that moment the phone rings.
*lit. Where water flows, a canal is formed (idiom); fig. when conditions are right, success will follow naturally
I have never felt so grateful to Taehyung’s incoming call.
‘Lalisa Manoban, come over to work overtime!’
‘Eh?’ I don’t feel grateful to him. I’m still waiting for my spaghetti, ‘Aren’t you also off work?’
‘I once again discover a mistake in your document. If you do not want to commit the same mistakes like last time, you better hurry over!’
My entire face scare till it turn green ‘I will be right there.’ During mishap there will be no one stand in to fight for me.
‘What happen?’ Jaewon asked.
‘I make some mistake in the document……. I need to go back to the office immediately. Otherwise I will suffered disastrous losses.’ I grabbed my bag and ran out.
‘I will send you.’ Jaewon chased after.
‘No need, you better enjoy the dinner ba. It is not easy to make a reservation. If you unable to finish please pack my share, I still want to taste the authentic Italian pasta.’
‘Then I come and pick you up?’
‘No need, I don’t have a fix time.’ I smiled and feel sorry toward Jaewon, asked the driver to drive faster.
The car speed away, from the rear view mirror I saw Jaeweon disappointed look show in his face.
I’m so sorry. I said silently in my heart.
When I reach the company only discover that President’s office is the only office that has light on.
At that time Taehyung was looking at a project plan. When he saw me coming in, he pointed toward the box on the floor ‘Recheck all the documents in the box.’
I carried the box back to my workplace and started checking. Inside the box were all the tender project documents that Legal Department has recently taking over. From tenders, LOI (Letter of Intent) until business contracts. From bidding intentions to participant codes. I do what others do, innumerable. All these should not be only me who takes the responsibility. But since Taehyung used such an official business tone, I can only be a diligence employee.
Data, legal provisions……. typos, so-called check. The final analysis is one word — look. But is just to look, also look until both of my eyes become blurred. My waist also sour and my back also hurts badly. I have crossed check several times over the documents that I have taken responsibility for. By the time I have determine there is no mistake it’s already 11pm.
I went to the pantry to get some water. Holding the glass I begin to lost in thought……. the quiet, dark corridor, it seem like you have unconsciously walk into a different space-time. Like a transformations of the world, where humanity no longer exist and I was ignorant in this very small corner, doing meaningless work……
‘Hey, off duty.’ a voice said.
I was shocked. I turn around and saw Taehyung standing at the doorway. Like a bright and dark light intertwine, his expression was not very clear.
‘What are you thinking? You look distracted for quite a while.’
‘Ah, I was thinking, maybe because of working overtime it become end of the world and I’m the only remainder on the earth.’
‘Now I appear, you no longer alone.’ He laughed.
‘Ha, ha, ha, ha,’ I start laughing, ‘having you might as well not having you!’
‘You laugh like this again!’ Taehyung angry, ‘the earth only remain 2 of us, you still pick and choose. Are you waiting for Martian?! Tell me, which part of me that you dislike? Last time when Park Chaeyoung told you to let me accompany you to deal with your dad, you just laugh like this. I can also imagine with my eyes open!’
As the last male on earth still being despise by the last female on earth…… ha ha, Taehyung’s confused expression really amusing.
I can’t help it but say ‘Kim Taehyung, please don’t haunt. You are high above President. I’m just an ordinary girl…… impossible for us to be together.’
Taehyung’s face instantly become black ‘When do I….. ‘
‘Haha, I’m just kidding. I always hope to have an opportunity to dump a big shot and then declare the above mentioned lofty words. Aiya, just imagine it, really interesting.’ I looked at Taehyung suffering face and cheerfully say, ‘my meaning is just like thin fruit pancake and five-star hotel. Both have different perspective point of view. All are quite fine. But if the five-star hotel treat the thin fruit pancake as breakfast, red wine at the left side and coffee at the right side then it will not be match.’
‘Very good, you also know you are a piece of thin fruit pancake.’ Taehyung re-think and asked again, ‘then you have never think of me as your boyfriend and so on? According to the statistic among the people who had join AC, those girl will also come across this thinking, still a lot them had put in action.’
Taehyung narcissism was extraordinary but it seem closed to how serious a professor face expression look like when discuss problem with the student, truly…… too annoying!
I thought for a while and said ‘Yes ah.’
‘Then you still…… I’m the last person on earth, last person ah!’
You are Martian!
I gave him a stern look ‘Big Boss, you don’t be confused. Your being abandon honor don’t worth a cent. In fact every girl before grow up do have excessive Cinderella’s dream. But as time goes by, the girls will realize, rather than being a foolish girl, being a stepmother even more practical. Even in the fairy tales world, out of the one thousand princes, only one of them will married Cinderella. The rest will still married princess. Equal status is an appropriate match, is more realistic and word of wisdom.’
‘You this common people, what decade are you living in. You still have this old and pedantic thinking’
‘You are original then let me have a look! The original you at this moment go and get married. Being dragged down by having a family to feed and having a young nanny, let me have a look ah!’
Taehyung thought for a while ‘Forget about it, indeed talking to you is like shouting toward a crowd. Let’s go, I am sending you home.’
Jaewon got an early flight in the next day and I need to get up very early to accompany him to the airport.
He look at me and said ‘I really wanted to have a meal with you, but not succeed.’
‘Hei hei, blame it on me. Because I was not attentive to work and it cause me to work overtime.’ I find it too embarrassed to say.
‘That boss of yours called Kim Taehyung…..’
‘Aiya, he is a psychopath. Don’t know why he can become a President. Don’t mention about him, once I thought of him I will have headache.’
‘Well, I also don’t want to mention about him. The question I asked yesterday, do you think clearly? I’m leaving soon. Still refused to give me an answer?’ Jaewon pull my hand, apparently that action…… seem like wanted to kiss me.
‘Aiya, they are calling for boarding. You better go now otherwise you will not make it on time.’ I used this as an excuse to push him away.
Jaewon lightly shook his head and laughed ‘Then I go first. Promised you will call. If you don’t agree, you also must call. If you have time to come over please look for me. I will bring you out to play. At any time I will always welcome you.’
I nodded and waved goodbye to him.
I have been waiting at the departure hall, watching Jaewon’s plane disappeared from view, then turned and leave.
‘Lalisa Manoban.’ Just out of the departure hall, I heard someone calling me.
‘President, why are you here?’
‘Send off a friend.’ Taehyung open his car door, ‘Get in the car, I will take you back to the company.’
‘Oh, who is the big shot that request President to send personally ah.’ I get into the car and asked.
For a long time Taehyung didn’t said anything and then he asked ‘You and Mr Jung…..’
‘Yes ah. Although is my parents’ idea, but……. I also think of getting along with him. He seems to be a very nice person.’
Again waited for a long time, Taehyung finally said ‘Lalisa Manoban, help me to find a blind date ba. Don’t want those big town kind. Matchmaking company that kind of ordinary lady, like you said, find those equal status young lady.’
The voice sound cold and cheerless.